4 instances of both opposition captains scoring a century in an ODI
We often speak about how important the role of a captain is in cricket. He needs to select his playing XI, make strategies and (try to) execute them, apart from taking vital decisions on the field.
But one of the most important parts of captaincy is that the burden of leading the side should not affect the captain's performance with the bat or ball. Thus, we are hearing a lot of modern-day captains speak about leading from the front and setting an example for the rest of the team.
However, there have hardly been instances where both captains have scored a century in the same game, especially in ODI cricket. Hence, here we look back at the four instances of both captains scoring a hundred in an ODI.
#4 William Porterfield (112) and Eoin Morgan (124*) – Dublin, September 2013
In 2013, after a heart-breaking loss to India in the Champions Trophy final, England retained the Ashes as they won 3-0. After the Ashes and before the ODI series against Australia, they squared off against neighbours Ireland in a one-off ODI in Dublin. Post the 2011 World Cup, Ireland had played only 7 ODIs against Test-playing nations in which 3 of them were washed out.
In the one-off ODI, England won the toss and inserted Ireland into bat first. Former Ireland player Boyd Rankin, who was making his ODI debut for England, took a couple of quick wickets in the powerplay to leave Ireland at 36/2.
But Ireland skipper William Porterfield played a patient knock. Even though wickets kept falling at regular intervals, it didn’t affect Porterfield’s concentration. He struck a superb 112 (his 6th ODI ton) as he helped Ireland post a competitive total of 269.
Chasing 270, England were in trouble at 25/3 when skipper Eoin Morgan strode out to the centre. He changed the momentum of the innings completely and put the pressure back on Ireland with a brilliant unbeaten 124. He struck 8 fours and 4 sixes as he, along with Ravi Bopara (101), helped England chase down the total in 43 overs.
It was the first time in the history of ODI cricket that captains from both sides had scored a ton.